Let bygones be bygones.

For PBA great Nelson Asaytono, he has long moved on from the past snubs in the Greatest List and was just happy to be finally recognized as part of it on Friday, April 11, during the league’s golden anniversary celebration at the Solaire Hotel North.

“Finally, nakasama na rin kami rito. As a professional player, tinatanggap na namin kung ano ang nangyari sa amin. Pero okay na, masaya na kami,” said Asaytono who was with fellow PBA 50 Greatest Players inductee and former Alaska star Bong Hawkins during the red carpet walk.

Now 58 years old, Asaytono was considered one of the biggest snubs in the two instances – the 25 best players in 2000 and 40 in 2015 – that the league named players to its Greatest Lists. 

And not a few, some even his contemporaries, believed he should have been long part of the prestigious group.

“Overwhelmed,” admitted the PBA great nicknamed "The Bull" when asked how he felt that he was finally getting the chance to be honored during the league’s 50th anniversary.

“Siguro kung paghihintay, is talagang (ang masasabi ko lang) finally, finally,” he added.

Asaytono certainly had made his case apparent for the citation especially after wrapping up his 17-year career in the PBA. He came close at winning two Most Valuable Player awards and was part of Mythical First team thrice and the second team four times.

When he called it quits, he became the fifth player in all-time scoring with a total of 12,668 points, trailing other legends Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Atoy Co and Alvin Patrimonio.

But more than a recognition for himself, Asaytono said the award was really for his family and friends who undoubtedly believed that he should be long a member of the elite company.

“For my family and friends na rin na gusto nila ako mapunta dito. Ang sarap sa feeling kumbaga part ito ng pagiging isang PBA player na nagretire na,” added the PBA great.